Grace Chapman grew up watching movies and TV shows about pageants in the United States, but she never thought she would be able to participate in one in Canada.
That was until a few months ago when she was lying on the couch, watching one of her favourite movies as she recovered from COVID-19.
“I was watching Miss Congeniality with Sandra Bullock, and I just thought, ‘it’d be so much fun to be in a pageant,’” Chapman recalls.
One Google search later, she stumbled upon Miss Teenage New Brunswick. She filled out the application and later attended a 20-minute interview on Zoom. Afterwards, she was left to play the waiting game.
“Two days later, I got a callback, and they said, ‘Congratulations, you’ve been crowned Miss Teenage New Brunswick, and we will be taking you to Toronto in August to compete against all the other provinces,” said Chapman.
“I didn’t think I’d get it. I ran right outside, and I told my dad. I didn’t think he would be that excited, but he has been one of my biggest supporters.”
The 16-year-old from Sussex is one of the next contestants to reach for the Miss Teenage Canada crown, hosted by Pageant Group Canada Inc., which takes place in Toronto, Ont., from Aug. 15 to 20. Chapman said she has always looked up to strong, independent women as her role models.
That influence, she said, has helped shape her view of the pageant industry.
“In the past, they were more about beauty and things like that, but I think now it’s more about being a positive role model for young girls and even young boys – anyone really,” she said.
Included among her role models are her family, many of whom have careers in the health care sector. With her dad being a doctor and her mom being a nurse, they taught her the importance of knowing how to care for one’s self.
And after reading an article from the United Kingdom about mandatory first-aid training in schools, she decided to use it as her pageant platform.
“First aid is so important, and some kids can’t access it because it is an expensive course — I’ve taken it myself, it’s about $500 just for two days — and I think it should be accessible to everyone,” said Chapman.
“I think that’ll just make Canada just such a safer and healthier place.”
Chapman said she is looking forward to the trip, mentioning that she has never been to Toronto other than to its airport. She is excited to see the sights and have fun with the other girls competing in Miss Teenage Canada.
“Last year, they took them to a zoo and an aquarium and waterpark and all that stuff, and just getting to meet all the other girls, I feel like they are probably going to be really nice,” said Chapman.
Listen to our full interview with Grace Chapman below:
